About

American Pets Alive!'s mission is to urgently save the lives of companion animals from unnecessary deaths in shelters.

We champion and abide by the Austin No Kill Model, which is comprised of the data-driven protocols, programs and tools developed in the largest No Kill city in the nation. We provide flexible opportunities for in-depth education and hands-on training in the proven most-effective strategies — with expert support all along the way.

Maddie’s® Lifesaving Academy, the most effective No Kill training you can get.

American Pets Alive! Conference, the nation’s premier gathering for No Kill education.

Hands-on assistance, on-site shelter support and mentorship from experienced advisors.

Our History

American Pets Alive!'s (AmPA!) mission is to urgently save the lives of companion animals from unnecessary deaths in shelters. AmPA! was established by the rescue organization Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) in response to the many inquiries from animal welfare groups asking how Austin managed to become the country’s largest No Kill city.

At AmPA!, we believe in a world in which all shelter animals are valued and given a true chance at life. We believe our role in this movement is to be an innovative and trusted leader in creating a world where shelters have the tools, resources and knowledge necessary to be safe havens for animals until their families are found.

In 2011, APA! introduced the American Pets Alive! Conference and in 2017, after piloting some training programs in 2016 with their support, Maddie's Fund® provided the $4 million grant that made AmPA!'s Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy possible. Since this time, AmPA! has expanded into the educational arm of APA! and a leader in spreading the No Kill movement.

While we understand American Pets Alive!'s mission to be long-term, communities need to be empowered with proven solutions to help them take action and institute change now. AmPA! believes the needless deaths of shelter animals is a crisis that demands immediate attention and resolution – and that we already have the solutions necessary to do that. Animals deserve a legitimate chance at life and innovation in animal shelters is necessary for providing this basic right.